14 month old has cold and is constipated

[NewMom610]

My 14 month old woke up yesterday with an awful cold followed by some terrible constipation (he's crying and screaming to poop, and it is seriously rock hard and very small).

We've done orange juice for the cold, prune juice for the constipation, cut out his yogurt at breakfast, and used saline drops for his nose.

Does anyone else have any suggestions?  We don't have a humidifier due to the climate where we live.

I just feel so badly for the poor kid.  He is trying so hard to be happy, but I know he is feeling miserable.  He was up almost all night last night, and he just wanted to nurse constantly.  That is very unlike him as he nurses 2x or less a day (his doing), so I know he isn't feeling good.

Thanks, friends!

[MamatobabyA]

For a cold, I usually do a dose or two of Tylenol during the day if he seems especially uncomfortable.  I think the Vicks infant rub is nice (ingredients are: Petrolatum, fragrance, aloe extract, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil) and seems the help clear his nose and the rubbing on the chest feels nice.  A hot shower is also good.  With Baby A's last cold, I showered with him several times a day.  The head from the water clears them up for a bit.  I just grabbed some bath toys and let him play in there.

We use pear juice for constipation, but prune works well too.  Can you up his fiber?  Maybe beans or applesauce with the skin.

[foreverinbluejeans]

The nursing constantly is great and may do the trick for the constipation. You say he isn't nursing much by his doing. Since you are pregnant it is more complicated than that. Your milk may not taste as good or you may not be able to make much milk. Sometimes an illness will increase milk in a pregnant woman and the toddler will start nursing more. I hope your little guy is feeling better soon.

[Asiago]

He may be dehydrated. I would try to get liquids into him; breastmilk, water, broth, maybe he would like a slushie of some sort. As much breastmilk as possible or that you can provide, it will also help him to conquer this illness.